To create an SSH key pair open powershell or CMD on Windows or on Linux open terminal and type the following for an RSA key pair.

Press enter a few times for the default locations.

Files

This will create 2 files in %USERPROFILE%/.ssh
id_rsa = Private Key
id_rsa.pub = Public Key
Do not share your Private key

How these keys work

• Private Key: This key is like the unique, matching key to the padlock. It must be kept private and secure on your local machine.
• Public Key: This key is like a padlock. You can share it freely and place it on the remote server you want to access, when you build new servers you can run scripts to pre populate the server with this key for instant access.

Extras to consider

• ED25519 is another algorithm that is more modern and offers more security and performance, there can be compatibility issues with older applications that do not support this newer algoithm, to use ED25519 type in the following

• Increase the key length to 4096 for extra security and recommended in high risk production environmnets, to use 4096 bit lengths instead of the default 2048 use the following..